⿿The Bible and the Public Schools⿝ is a sermon delivered by George Nelson Webber at the Congregational Church in Middlebury, Vermont. Webber addresses the contentious issue of Bible reading and religious instruction within public schools during the mid-19th century. The sermon reflects the prevailing Protestant viewpoints of the time, engaging with concerns about the influence of other religious traditions, particularly Roman Catholicism, on the educational system. Webber advocates for the continued presence of the Bible in schools while also emphasizing the importance of religious toleration and guarding against sectarianism. This historical document offers insights into the religious, social, and educational debates that shaped American public education and the role of religion within it. It provides a valuable resource for understanding the historical context of religious freedom and the evolving relationship between church and state in the United States.

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